Credits Rolling

Book to movie adaptions are my favorite. I love seeing a story that was so clear in my head play out on screen. When I heard that All The Bright Places would be coming to Netflix, I knew I had to add it to my queue. I remember reading the book way back when it was published in 2015 so a few of the details were spotty at best, but I thought it was a pretty decent effort all in all.

Meet Theodore Finch (Justice Smith) and Violet Markey (Elle Fanning), two high school kids who, on the surface seem to be complete opposites, but as it turns out they have a lot more in common than they ever could have realised.

Finch struggles with mental health and has to see a therapist on the reg to keep his thoughts and feelings in check. When he is in the middle of an episode, he usually disappears from the lives of his friends and family. He also writes these down on post its and displays them in his room so that he can have some sort of control over the situation.

Violet is known as the girl who lost her sister in a freak car accident. This event completely alters her life – suddenly college applications take a backseat as do friends and potential boyfriends. Violet is unable to find joy in anything anymore and she hasn’t stepped foot in a car since.

A chance encounter at the scene of the accident pushes the two together. Finch is curious about Violet and wants to know more about her, but she is closed off and unsure. When they are paired up for an assignment that requires them to discover various world wonders, their guards are slowly let down and their hearts open up to life and love.

The topic of this film is important because it tackles mental health in a realistic way. Both main characters deal with their own issues, but what it comes down to is that one should never judge a book by it’s cover. Just because somebody looks like they are happy on the outside does not mean that that is really how they feel on the inside. Mental health is still something people aren’t able to talk about openly and that should change.

I recently reread the novel and noticed quite a few changes were made. While this is common in page to screen adaptions, I wish more details had been included. Key locations were altered and the way in which Finch’s dark days were depicted could have been more colorful. Still, I enjoyed watching the story unfold and it taught me to not take anything for granted.

Rating: ♥♥♥

I hadn’t heard much about this film until quite recently. Zoey Deutch is a favorite of mine and I don’t think there’s a project of hers that I haven’t seen and enjoyed. What I like most about her is that she is diverse and can take on many roles. Her comedic ones, in particular, are outstanding. Buffaloed was no exception!

Peg lives with her mom Kathy (Judy Greer) and brother JJ (Noah Reid). When her dad died, she took it upon herself to do whatever was necessary to provide for her family even if that sometimes meant committing acts that weren’t exactly legal. Peg taught herself everything she needed to know about finances and numbers and how to always have a steady flow of money coming in.

So when the opportunity to work as a debt collector comes about, Peg jumps at the chance. Working in that line of business is no easy feat; her employer is not somebody you’d want to mess with and trying to get people to pay their bills can be daunting. But Peg has a way with people and before long she is a force to be reckoned with. The only problem? Her fellow employees aren’t happy about it especially when she decides to go out on her own.

With the help of an unlikely group of people from various cultures and backgrounds, Peg embarks on a tumultuous journey complete with many ups and downs, new friendships and love along the way.

What is so interesting about this story is that it sheds light on the issue of debt in America. So many people take out loans for medical bills, school tuition or mortgages, but then they struggle to pay it back. As an outsider who has never experienced this firsthand, I thought the depiction in Buffaloed was well executed. Even though the topic is a serious one, the comedic element helped even things out.

Rating: ♥♥♥♥

Where do I even begin to talk about this masterpiece? I had no idea what Parasite was about before it started making headlines everywhere and anywhere. All the summaries I found online were ambiguous. They gave the general plot, but did not go into any detail at all. It felt as though I was being left out of the world’s biggest secret that I knew I had to find out for myself what all the fuss was about.

The Kim family do whatever they can to get by. Small jobs here and there that don’t hold much promise for a brighter future, though they never give up hope. At least they have each other. One fateful day, Ki-woo (Woo-sik Choi) is given the opportunity of a lifetime: become an English tutor for the very wealthy Park family’s daughter. Having no prior experience, he adopts the name Kevin and takes on his new role cautiously.

Before long, Ki-woo enlists the help of his sister Ki-jung (So-dam Park) who becomes the art teacher for the Park’s son. Ki-taek (Kang-ho Song) and Chung-sook (Hye-jin Jang), the parents of Ki-woo and Ki-jung, are brought in as driver and housekeeper too. What started as a way for the Kims to get some extra money soon turns into an elaborate game.

Though the Parks seem to have it all, nothing is ever as it seems. Gullible Yeon- kyo (Yeo-jeong Jo) takes her job as a mother very seriously. She wants the best for her children and makes most of the household arrangements. Dong-ik (Sun-kyun Lee) is too busy building his empire to be present in the lives of his children. Between the two of them, it’s no wonder that the Kims are able to manipulate their way into this new lifestyle.

My favorite thing about Parasite is how unpredictable it was. It kept me guessing throughout and I really did not know how everything was going to come together. I also loved how, at the end of the day, the movie was about two families and how their lives, no matter how different, entwined together. There was no need for gimmicks or big production here. The way that it was portrayed was done in a realistic and believable way.

This movie is so worth the hype and was so deserving of all the awards it received. Bong Joon Ho is a force to be reckoned with and I look forward to seeing where he goes next.

Rating: ♥♥♥♥♥

Ah, the long awaited sequel of the smash hit To All The Boys I’ve Loved Before has finally graced our Netflix accounts! And just in time for Valentine’s Day too. Fans of the book series that the movies are originally based on have literally been counting down the days. I too am a big fan of this franchise and I was very excited to see what would unfold this time around.

P.S. I Still Love You picks up almost immediately after the events of the first movie. Lara Jean Covey (Lana Condor) is about to go on her first official date with boyfriend Peter Kavinsky (Noah Centineo). After all the build up leading to their relationship, everything was bound to come together and work out perfectly, right?

Before she knows it, Lara Jean comes to the realisation that being a girlfriend is not as easy as it looks. Especially when it involves Peter. Various party invitations and social obligations as well as showing up to every single one of his games are normal protocol when dating the most popular boy in school. Not to mention the fact that Peter is also still in close contact with his ex girlfriend Gen (Emilija Baranac). He claims that they are only friends, but when he drops everything to help her, it certainly sends the wrong signal.

Enter John Ambrose McClaren (Jordan Fisher). One of the last recipients to receive a love letter from Lara Jean, he ends up moving back to town with his family. Once upon a time, Lara Jean was in love with him and now the two are volunteering together at the local old folks’ home. Sparks start to fly, causing a wedge between Peter and Lara Jean. Being aware of her letters, Peter is jealous and doesn’t want her spending time with anybody else but him.

Overall, the film is cute and definitely swoon worthy, but something fell flat for me. Maybe it’s the curse of being second in a set of three where a lot of the plot is used to set up for what’s to come. Or maybe it’s the fact that it gives unrealistic portrayals on how guys are supposed to act. I do believe that they stayed true to the book for the most part and the changes that were done made sense. I guess I just expected more at the end of the day, especially after all the hype it was getting.

Rating: ♥♥♥

My girl Harley Quinn is back! And if you know me at all, then you are probably aware of the fact that I had been eagerly anticipating the release of this movie ever since Margot Robbie herself announced it. I mean, how could I not be excited? Harley was the best thing to come out of Suicide Squad. It was only fitting for her to get her chance in the spotlight.

The story actually picks up right after the events of Suicide Squad. Harley and Joker are loved up and still causing havoc in Gotham until one day he ends things with her. Devastated and blindsided, our heroine goes through the usual stages of a break up, seemingly making more enemies along the way in her destruction.

Roman Sionis (Ewan McGregor) is prime enemy number one. His speciality? Literally cutting his victims’ faces off. Ew. But a chance encounter forces him to begrudgingly ask Harley for help in recovering the Bertinelli diamond that notorious pick pocket Cassandra Cain (Ella Jay Basco) swiped without knowing how important it really was. If Harley is successful in retrieving the diamond, her debts will be paid off. If not, well, let’s just say that beautiful face would never look the same again.

What follows is a hilarious, fast paced caper with twist after twist. Nobody wants to make it easy for Harley, but with a little help from some new gal pals Dinah Lance/Black Canary (Jurnee Smollett-Bell), Helena Bertinelli/Huntress (Mary Elizabeth Winstead) and cop Renee Montoya (Rosie Perez), they could just pull this off!

Birds of Prey is exactly what you would expect from a film that is all about Harley Quinn. It’s loud, it’s girly, it’s completely over the top and there’s glitter. Lots and lots of glitter. Not to mention the fact that the soundtrack is phenomenal with plenty of girl power anthems. Having Cathy Yen as director was an amazing choice because she was really able to pull this off.

Grab your girlfriends and spread the word. We’ve got a new queen in Gotham to stan!

Rating: ♥♥♥♥♥

You all are probably wondering why I’m going to try and convince you to watch the Taylor Swift documentary (as I’m sure many of you have dubbed it). There are a lot reasons why you should check it out and whether or not you are a fan of hers isn’t important. This movie touches on so many valid and relatable subjects that people of all ages can appreciate it!

It is common knowledge that Taylor disappeared from the public eye for an entire year. As she stated in the film, that is what she thought everyone wanted. But it is how she dealt with the media, all those unbelievable comments, accusations and scrutiny that really is inspiring to watch.

Standing up for something you believe in is extremely important. However, being able to really get a message across is not always easy. Celebrities’ opinions have a stronger impact because so many people look up to them and often they have to think before they act. Speaking from experience, it is also sometimes harder for a woman to find her voice.

Taylor defies these odds. Not only does she touch upon the time she took a man to court for sexual harassment, but she was also vocal about the slander she received from both men and women about her appearance and who she was supposedly dating at the time. To be slut shamed by your own gender is not okay. We should build each other up, not tear each other down.

One scene that was the most interesting to witness focused on Taylor’s argument with her production team – all of who are male, including her own father – about post her political views on social media. Despite their warnings and the potential backlash, she candidly speaks about wanting to spread awareness and her hopes in shedding more light on an otherwise complicated subject. The way she decides to make the post anyway is commendable.

A lot of people have things to say about Taylor Swift. Believe it or not, I was one of those people who judged her. At the end of the day, she is just someone who is trying to find her place in the world like the rest of us. After seeing exactly what she went through one thing rings clear. She is a true inspiration.

Rating: ♥♥♥♥♥

Question: What do you get when you put Matthew McConaughey, Charlie Hunnam, Jeremy Strong, Colin Farrell, Henry Golding and Hugh Grant into the same movie?

Answer: An action packed adventure filled with many twists and turns along the way! Just when you think you know where the story is going, be prepared to think again.

Mickey Pearson (McConaughey) is the most successful cannabis mogul in the industry. After many years, it is time for him to retire and live out a more normal lifestyle with his wife Rosalind (Michelle Dockery).

Matthew Berger (Strong) seems like the perfect choice to take over from Pearson. He’s got the money, the reputation and he knows a lot of people who would be able to keep the business thriving.  Just when it seems like the transition will be easy, gangster Dry Eye (Golding) makes himself known. He wants in on the action and will do whatever he can to get it, much to Pearson’s dismay. Coach (Farrell), comes into the picture and ends up offering his alliance with Raymond (Hunnam), Pearson’s second in command, after some local MMA fighters he trains get mixed up in all the action.

And then there’s Fletcher (Grant). Rude and crude, this private investigator is hired to find all the dirt he possibly can on Pearson in order to expose him. Fletcher attempts to sell his findings – which he has compiled into a screenplay – to Raymond for a hefty sum.

Suddenly, Pearson leaving behind his legacy seems a lot more difficult than he, or anyone, could have anticipated.

In true Guy Ritchie fashion, there is a lot going on in The Gentlemen. It is certainly unpredictable and leaves you guessing until the very end. The star-studded cast work amazingly together and don’t get me wrong, it is fun! However, at times I found the film to be confusing and messy. I wasn’t invested in the characters and the subject matter went above my head. It seemed as if the whole experience was lost on me from the get go.

Rating: ♥♥

 

Okay, I’ll admit it. I was one of those people who was unsure of going to see this movie because I didn’t know much about it. The backstory was foreign to me and I may have based my interest purely on members of the cast (Brie Larson, I’m looking at you!) But if there is one thing I love, it is when I am proven wrong. Walking into this film, I had zero expectations and afterwards, I was absolutely and completely blown away by what I had just witnessed.

The true story of Walter McMillian (Jamie Foxx) is one that rocked a small town in Alabama to it’s very core in 1988. Accused of a crime he did not commit, McMillian was sentenced to death. Unable to put up a fight and with no sign of help, it truly seemed that his fate was sealed. He would suffer the death penalty and leave behind his wife and children. Who would believe him, a man of color, anyway?

But then Bryan Stevenson (Michael B. Jordan) comes to town. Recently graduated from Harvard University, Stevenson decides on relocating to that very town with the sole intention of helping the many people who are wrongfully accused every single day and, hopefully, giving them the justice they deserve.

I never thought it was possible for my heart to break and then mend almost simultaneously, but that is exactly how I felt while watching. Completely engrossed in the story and the events that unfolded, it was as if I shared the many emotions that both McMillian and Stevenson faced from the beginning to the end.

Michael B. Jordan gives a humbling, yet powerful performance as the passionate lawyer, while Jamie Foxx brings McMillian to life in a way that would not have been possible with other actors. Brie Larson, who concludes the trio as Eva Ansley, believes in Stevenson’s abilities from day one and helps him build up a practice of his own.

Just Mercy will knock you down, but picks you right back up again. Make sure to have lots of tissues!

Rating: ♥♥♥♥

Meet the March sisters.

Meg (Emma Watson) is the eldest. She works as a governess and also helps around her family’s home when her mother is away. Because of her father’s social standing in their town, she decides to launch herself into society. The fact that she is beautiful is only a bonus, though it sometimes makes her come off as snobby.

Considered to be the most shy and quiet out of the lot, Beth, (Eliza Scanlen) is the peacemaker between her sisters and has an affinity for music. She is kind to everyone she comes into contact with and chooses to live each day as if it was her last.

Amy, (Florence Pugh), is the youngest. Often not taken seriously by her family and peers, she acts out and allows her insecurities to get the better of her. Her greatest passion in life is art. Being able to express herself through painting gives her that outlet she needs and allows her to grow in the process.

And then there’s Jo (Saoirse Ronan), the aspiring author who has a wild imagination and dreams of one day of having her work published. Known as the tomboy, Jo claims that she does not need a man to make her happy, much to the dismay of her father. Despite her rebellious ways, she is undoubtedly the glue that holds everyone together.

Based on the classic tale by the same name, this retelling of Little Women sticks very closely to the original story. However, director Greta Gerwig does incorporate some more modern aspects that help update the plot and bring it into the twenty first century.

Uplifting, inspiring and heartwarming are only a few of the words that I would use to describe this movie. The cast of talented women work well off each other, weaving the younger members with veterans Laura Dern as Marmee and Meryl Streep as Aunt March together. Timothée Chalamet is a wonderful addition as Laurie too.

Little Women is one of those films that gives you feeling that you just spent the day with your best friend. It will envelope you in a big hug that is never-ending.

Rating: ♥♥♥♥♥